In an effort to link up with the 29th Infantry Division, Lt. Robert Cole’s 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment was assigned to capture Hill 30 at the south-east edge of Carentan. The men of “I” Company led the way, moving out over the elevated causeway under enemy sniper and machine-gun fire. Beyond the last bridge was a farmhouse, dominating a large, open field. During the morning 84 men of “H” Company passed through and took on German troops arrayed around a CP established in the farmhouse. Enemy fire held off the paratroopers, wounding and killing a number of Americans. Cole, meanwhile, paced back and forth, finally passing word down the line, “Fix bayonets and prepare to charge the farmhouse upon a blast of a whistle.”

Attacker: American (Elements of 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment)

Defender: German (Elements of the Local Garrison and 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment)